SAD news this week that reached out into the mainstream press as well as around the globe was the passing of Black Caviar.

She was a day short of 18 years of age. The Bel Esprit mare out of the Desert Sun mare Helsinge was undefeated in 25 starts, 15 at Group 1 level, with her final win in the TJ Smith Stakes in April 2013, 10 months after her famous victory at Royal Ascot in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.

“You don’t think it affects you,” said her trainer Peter Moody last Saturday. “But you are being stupid not to think it doesn’t. It’s impossible not to get attached to most animals let alone one like her.”

She was humanely euthanized at the Scone Equine Hospital on Saturday morning after foaling.

“She had a milk infection about a week ago and we just treated it like you do with all broodmares, But, like a lot of treatments, it went straight to her feet,” explained Moody.

“She had the foal this morning, a colt foal by Snitzel, and they put her down shortly after that on humane grounds. They scanned her feet yesterday and there was no blood flow at all to her feet. There was minimum blood flow to her feet anyhow but there was none and she’s such a big girl. I rang all the staff and told them. They were all very upset.”

Unfortunately, Black Caviar’s foal passed away two days later despite receiving around-the-clock, world-class veterinary care.

Black Caviar has had seven named foals, five of whom have raced for four winners. Three of her daughters are at stud.

On board for 22 of her 25 wins was jockey Luke Nolen who still rides for the Peter Moody stable. “It’s a hollow feeling,” said Nolen. “You could say she was just a horse, but she was more than a horse and that’s why we’re feeling a bit blue.

“She was an integral part of my career but, more importantly, she was so important for racing itself. She was one of our equine heroes. It was great to be a part of her story, but I always felt a bit guilty because anyone could’ve done the job.”

WITH temperatures hovering around 20°C for the majority of the week, the first blushes of spring swept through Caulfield on Saturday with the running of the Group 2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes over 1,400 metres.

In a field of 10, it was the eight-year-old So You Think gelding, Gentleman Roy who prevailed by a neck from a pair of Street Boss geldings, Pinstriped, and the race favourite, Pericles.

Trained by Ben, Will and J.D. Hayes, the victory brought the stable consecutive wins in the race. “It is quite fitting to win it with Gentleman Roy and Mr Brightside in the last two (editions),” said J.D. Hayes.

“They really were the pinnacle horses that were key to when we first got handed the licence. They were both sitting in the barn as maidens and looking back now it was quite handy.”

THE Melbourne Cup picture will get some clarity after the close of nominations on September 3rd, with moves already being made.

Of the jockeys, star duo Hollie Doyle and Tom Marquand have confirmed their intentions to be available across the Cup carnival. Doyle rode Future History into 15th place last year, whilst Marquand has chalked up three Group 1 wins in Sydney on the William Haggas-trained Addeybb.

An early scratching will be the New Zealand-trained Mark Twain who had earned a ballot-free entry into the Cup by winning the 2,600 metre Roy Higgins in March. Trained by Roger James and Robert Wellwood, a tendon injury has scuppered his plans “He has got a slight tendon strain,” said James. “He presumably did it when working on Saturday morning.”

Equal favourite

A result that didn’t go unnoticed in Australia was Grosvenor Square’s 20-length win in the Group 3 Irish St Leger Trial Stakes.

He is now equal favourite for the Melbourne Cup alongside the former Sir Michael Stoute-trained Circle Of Fire who is in Ciaron Maher’s yard and won the Group 1 Sydney Cup in April.

Finally, Aidan O’Brien’s office hasn’t missed any paperwork with 19 horses nominated for the A$5 million Group 1 Caulfield Cup on October 19th.

Amongst them is Grosvenor Square, as well as Auguste Rodin, Chief Little Rock, Content, Continuous, Diego Velazquez, Euphoric, Grateful, Hans Andersen, Illinois, Jan Brueghel, Los Angeles, Luxembourg, Opera Singer, Point Lonsdale, Port Fairy, Portland, The Equator and Ylang Ylang.

Also nominated are Joseph O’Brien’s pair, A Piece Of Heaven and Ceolwulf, while Willie Mullins has Absurde included.